NCJ Number
61813
Date Published
1978
Length
35 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT CONSIDERS VIOLENT CRIME INCREASES IN SCOTLAND, ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUTHS, CONCLUDES THAT THE PENAL SYSTEM IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY STRICT, AND PRESENTS PENAL SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS.
Abstract
CHILDREN'S HEARINGS, SET UP IN 1968 TO FOSTER TREATMENT AND HELP FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, DO NOT PROTECT THE PUBLIC OR REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND SHOULD NOT BE A JUVENILE COURT SUBSTITUTE. MOREOVER, YOUNG OFFENDERS SHOULD NOT BE REFERRED TO CHILDREN'S HEARINGS WITHOUT REVIEW. VANDALISM, WHICH IS INCREASING SUBSTANTIALLY, SHOULD BE MADE A SEPARATE OFFENSE WITH APPROPRIATE PENALTIES SUCH AS RESTITUTION TO THE VICTIM. CARRYING OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO VIOLENCE AND NOT SUFFICIENTLY RESTRICTED, SHOULD BE SEVERELY PENALIZED; POLICE SHOULD HAVE GREATER SEARCH POWER IN THIS AREA. UNDERAGE DRINKING IS LINKED TO INCREASES IN VIOLENCE AMONG YOUTHS AGE 18-21 WHO SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE IDENTIFICATION WHEN BUYING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. AS EXPERIMENTAL ABOLISHMENT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN 1965 HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY AN INCREASE IN HOMICIDES, SEVERE MEASURES SHOULD BE INSTITUTED FOR MURDER IF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT REESTABLISHED. BECAUSE RECENT METHODS OF CONTROLLING VIOLENCE AMONG YOUND OFFENDERS HAVE NOT WORKED, A RETURN TO 'BIRCHING' SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. PRISON SENTENCES SHOULD BE SHORT, BUT PRISONS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR YOUTH, SHOULD REMAIN STRICT. ALSO, BECAUSE POLICE PRESENCE DETERS CRIME, POLICE FORCES SHOULD BE INCREASED. COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE CONTINUED WITH ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS. APPENDIXES LIST CONTRIBUTING INDIVIDUALS AND CONTAIN DATA ON CRIMINAL VIOLENCE. (PAP)